The 28 food and beverage products receiving the award target the needs of today’s operators, menus and consumers

The National Restaurant Association Show has named 28 products as recipients of the 2026 Food & Beverage (FABI) Awards. Ten awardees were singled out by the judges as FABI Favorites for standing above the rest in targeting operator needs, consumer tastes and trends.

Foods and beverages emphasizing protein, global flavors, and textural elements rose to the top this year. And while plant-based meat and dairy alternatives were represented, they didn’t dominate the lineup as they did in the past few years. Winners also displayed innovative formats, operational efficiencies and ingredient simplification.

These are the 10 FABI Favorites:

• Daiya’s Dairy Free Single-Serve Cream Cheese packets are conveniently packaged for grab-and-go and delivery orders. Vegan cheeses have come a long way in terms of taste and texture; this rich and creamy product is made with the company’s Daiya Oat Cream Blend for smooth, easy spreading.

• Original Egglife Egg White Wraps are protein-packed, low-carb wraps made from egg whites instead of flour. With 11g of protein, 1g of carbs and 50 calories per serving, they offer a versatile, flexible gluten-free carrier for any number of fillings.

• Elote Butter combines the bold, smoky flavor of chipotle peppers with cheese, butter, and fresh lime. Offered in various foodservice formats, it offers a quick way to menu Mexican street corn but can also be used to enhance vegetables, proteins, and breads.

• Perfect Kebabs Halal Beef Kefta Links are fully cooked beef links seasoned with traditional Middle Eastern spices. Made with Halal-certified beef and no artificial ingredients, they deliver authentic flavor, a handcrafted appearance, and ready-to-heat convenience.

• Churro Chata Dairy-Free Ice Cream Sandwich taps into two top trends: horchata and churros. The dairy-free frozen dessert has a creamy mouthfeel and authentic horchata flavor, while the cinnamon cookies enclosing the ice cream are pleasantly chewy and don’t get soggy. This is a unique frozen dessert for limited-service restaurants.

• Mini Waffles are bite-size versions of traditional Belgian butter waffles. Lightly sweet and already baked, they’re ready to use straight from the box of 26 or apply in both sweet and savory items. They fit perfectly into the “little treat” and snacking trends.

• Roland Maple Granules are a versatile, gluten-free way to upgrade desserts, hot cereal, baked goods, and other sweets, but they can also add a crunchy, flavorful twist as a coating for protein or a cocktail glass rim. They’re made from 100% dried Grade A Canadian maple syrup and offer a golden-brown, pebble-like texture.

• Calabrian Truffle Crunch gives an Italian spin to popular Asian chili crisp. This condiment is a blend of crispy garlic, chile flakes, olive oil, and black truffle to deliver bold flavor, texture, and just the right amount of heat.

• Plum Gochu Syrup is a fusion of Korean chile flavors and plum juice. This multi-tasker can be used as a base for sauces, vinaigrettes, and glazes as well as a component in cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages.

• Citrus Ginger Organic Craft Haymaker from Tractor Beverage Co. is a low-sugar, organic soda alternative with big flavor and light sparkle. Crafted with apple cider vinegar, ginger, lemon, and molasses, it’s inspired by the traditional farmer’s tonic known as switchel.

The remaining 18 awardees reflected the diversity and depth of the foodservice supply chain. Products included salt-and-vinegar cheese curds, a tiramisu Danish, hibiscus flower beverage concentrate, smoked duck breast, ready-to-use garlic confit, Moroccan plant-based meat cubes, feta dips, and several bake-and-serve appetizers, ready-to-plate desserts, and ready-to-pour drinks. The complete list is linked here.

“The FABI Awards have spent 15 years putting the spotlight on suppliers who are doing the hard work of developing products that genuinely move menus forward,” Tom Cindric, president of exhibitions for Informa Connect Foodservice Group, said in a statement. “This year’s recipients bring real flavor credentials and operational practicality. That combination is exactly what operators need when they’re looking to add something new and make it work in their kitchens.”

The panel of judges included culinary leads from Wendy’s, California Pizza Kitchen, Aramark, Ohio State University, Wonder and — full disclosure — editors from Restaurant Business and Nation’s Restaurant News, media brands under Informa Connect.

All award-winning products will be on display at the National Restaurant Association Show, May 16–19 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

Source https://www.nrn.com/menu-trends/national-restaurant-association-show-s-2026-fabi-awards-spotlight-top-trends